He was born in Nicholson, the son of the late George and Emma Robertson Smith. At the age of 11, he lost his father leaving him to help his older brother and mother in raising the family by working on the farm and trapping. He volunteered to join the United States Army prior to the beginning of World War II and served for five years in the United States Army Air Corp.

He worked in the construction industry, including his position as a project manager with the University of Georgia, where he retired in the mid 1970s. Mr. Smith married Willometer "Meta" Sailors Smith in 1941 and remained married for 67 years until she passed away in 2008. He received a grant for the creation of the Nicholson Water Association, which he organized and managed for many years with his wife, Meta Smith. He served as a scoutmaster for the Nicholson Boy Scout Troop 86 for five years. He received honorary staff member certificates from two Georgia governors, the Honorable George Busbee and the Honorable Joe Frank Harris. On his 100th birthday, the Mayor and City Council of Nicholson paused in their deliberations to congratulate Mr. Smith on his 100th birthday.

He was a member of the Nicholson United Methodist Church, where he worshiped and served the Lord Jesus Christ for many years, serving as a lay leader, administrative board chair, Sunday School Superintendent, Sunday School teacher, church treasurer, church trustee, pastor-parish relation committee, and lay delegate to the North Georgia Annual Conference. Mr. Smith embodies the Wesleyan spirit of holiness of heart, mind, and soul, loved ones stated.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, May 14, at 2 p.m. from the chapel of Little-Ward Funeral Home with the Rev. Bobby Ivester officiating. Interment will be in Howington Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Monday, May 13, from 6 to 8 p.m.